Is my letting agent allowed to just walk into my home unannounced?

nkkingston

I would also let someone higher up at the agency know. Hell, I'd let the police know. Letting yourself into people's homes and demanding cash is not how renting works, it's robbery (as in, not daylight, but actual, criminal offence, robbery). He may be doing this to other vulnerable tenants and getting away with it.

45002

PeppermintPattie wrote: »

I've been renting a flat in the private sector via a letting agency for the past 4 years. I'm also disabled (mental health). For the first 3 years and 9 months my rental payments were flawless, on time or early each month. In the past 3 months my health has been failing, I've only been able to work part time, and I am in a dreadful financial state to be perfectly honest. Earlier this year, I missed a month's rent, leaving me one month in arrears. The owner of the letting agency arrived at my door. I didn't hear him knock but I was alerted to his presence because the key was turning in the lock. He just let himself in! He claims he knocked first. He then started talking about my "serious rent arrears" in a very loud voice. He asked me to hand over cash. He did acknowledge that I'd never been late with my rent before. He went away but entered my flat again a few days later. It's quite possible he comes in when I am at work, also. I was able to bring the rent up to date a few days later by pawning and selling everything of any value that I own.

However, my rent is now one month late again. Today he has been round again. Again, I was alerted to his presence when I heard somebody frantically turning the handle on my front door and inserting a key.

Is he allowed to just enter my home like this? Wouldn't the normal thing be to phone or write to the person? To give some context: I'm on a normal AST contract, there's been no court action, the most arrears I've ever had is one month's rent, there's been no formal notice sent through the post or anything.

I'm in a dreadful anxious state and due to my health problems it takes me several days to calm down. I'm working with my carer and a debt adviser to pay off my arrears.

Hello PeppermintPattie

Hope you don't mind me asking, have you ever tried to claim Housing benefit for been on low income

You could get Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent if you’re on a low income.

https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit/overview

Rosemary7391

I'd include in that letter that even if they do arrange an appointment to visit your home, they should knock rather than using their key in the door. I'd also say that you will not pay your rent in cash on the doorstep for security reasons - how do you know it is someone authorised to have it? Send a copy to the landlord and letting agent, and keep one for your records. You shouldn't have to say these things, any sensible person would know already, and hopefully the landlord will therefore reconsider his relationship with the letting agency... Do you have a chain/bolt/slider on a yale lock you can use so they at least cannot open the door while you're in?

Smodlet

Of course it is an intimidation tactic; he sounds like a bully and you know the only way to deal with those, don't you? Stand up to him, let him know you are aware of your legal rights and that he has no right to enter your property without notice or without your permission.

Follow the advice you have received, make sure the LL knows the situation... this is pure speculation on my part, now but does anyone else think there is a possibility the LA is demanding cash and intending to keep it for himself??? This is just starting to stink of rodentry, imho. OK, just crossed posts with Rosemary, hola!

Pixie, if they did try the door, find the lock had been changed and it is in contravention of the tenancy agreement, there is a possibility it could be detrimental to the OP's situation, no? Maybe fitting bolts top and bottom to all exit doors might be a partial solution, though. Won't help when you're out, OP, but at least you might feel more secure when you're in. Somebody must know the answer about changing the locks, where are the LLs who post on here? Is somebody with more posting hours gonna PM one of 'em, or leave it to me? I'd feel a bit presumptuous, tbh.

PeppermintPattie

I rang up Shelter and they said that I can change the locks as I long as I keep the original locks and put the originals back in (at my own expense) whenever I move out. My understanding was that I'm not allowed to change the locks without permission, but I guess Shelter can be relied upon to have the most up to date knowledge?

Pixie5740

Smodlet wrote: »

Pixie, if they did try the door, find the lock had been changed and it is in contravention of the tenancy agreement, there is a possibility it could be detrimental to the OP's situation, no? Maybe fitting bolts top and bottom to all exit doors might be a partial solution, though. Won't help when you're out, OP, but at least you might feel more secure when you're in. Somebody must know the answer about changing the locks, where are the LLs who post on here? Is somebody with more posting hours gonna PM one of 'em, or leave it to me? I'd feel a bit presumptuous, tbh.

What would they do? Confess that they'd tried letting themselves into your home without advance notice and in the process of doing so discovered their key didn't work? I can't see a Section 8 Ground 12 leading to an eviction order on that basis. Mind you, a landlord needs no reason whatsoever to issue a Section 21 (but a Section 21 can't expire during a fixed term tenancy) but note it's the landlord the OP has a contract with not the agent and it seems the landlord is happy keeping the OP as a tenant so that's all that really matters.

It's pretty straightforward to change the barrel of a lock and it doesn't cause any damage unlike fitting bolts which would cause damage and would only work if you were in. The original barrels could then be put back in at the end of the tenancy.

Money_maker

PeppermintPattie wrote: »

I rang up Shelter and they said that I can change the locks as I long as I keep the original locks and put the originals back in (at my own expense) whenever I move out. My understanding was that I'm not allowed to change the locks without permission, but I guess Shelter can be relied upon to have the most up to date knowledge?

He would only know if he was trying to gain access and this is clear evidence that he is abusing your home.

Smodlet

Thank you, Pixie, I sit corrected. I did say the legal bit wasn't my bag:)

AnnieO1234

Just wanting to play a little devil's advocate, having reading about 6/7 posts into the thread. Does the landlord/agent know you have mental health difficulties? Could it be that they are aware that you don't have close family/friends around? Could it even be that another tenant has (because as you say you've been unable to work so much recently) raised awareness that you're not around, thinking the worst?

No, the agent isn't supposed to do what you say and if they truly thought there was something wrong they should really call the police, but maybe they are simply wanting to double check that all is well.

xxx

Smodlet

By demanding money with "menaces"???